SOCHI DAILY NEWS: Saturday Feb. 22

The collective hearts of every soul in the Rosa Khutor Alpine Center skipped a beat. But on the pitch, with nerves of icy steel, teenager Mikaela Shiffrin saw her gold medal evaporate as her left ski kicked up into the air. But with wisdom and fortitude that belied her young 18 years, she just got angry and skied through it, coming within a fraction of an inch of straddling the next gate.

The World Champion capped off the Olympics for the women’s U.S. Alpine Ski Team with two stunning performances, giving her the first U.S. slalom victory since Phil Mahre in 1984.

Next up, Olympic giant slalom champion Ted Ligety guns for a second medal in the men’s slalom Saturday at Rosa Khutor.

Mikaela Shiffrin

Today was one of the most special days of my life. These two (Marlies Schild and Kathrin Zettel) are my greatest idols. I modeled myself after them. To be in this moment with them, to share it with my family and friends, my team and my coaches, and everyone who has been in my past and will be in my future, it’s just very special.

CROSS COUNTRY

The final cross country skiing events will be the women’s 30k freestyle race on Saturday with the men’s 50k freestyle race Sunday.